Neosho man charged in church break-in

A Neosho man has been charged with second-degree burglary and felony stealing in connection with a break-in on Feb. 12 at the Northside Baptist Church.A Neosho man has been charged with second-degree burglary and felony stealing in connection with a break-in on Feb. 12 at the Northside Baptist Church.

A Neosho man has been charged with second-degree burglary and felony stealing in connection with a break-in on Feb. 12 at the Northside Baptist Church.

According to information provided by the Neosho Police Department, Dale W. Martin, 21, allegedly broke into the church, located at 705 N. High St. in Neosho, and stole several pole saws and chainsaws.

The report states that the burglary was connected with Martin when he attempted to pawn the items at a local pawn shop, though Martin had already fled the scene before officers arrived at the shop.

At the pawn shop, officers recovered two chainsaws confirmed to have been stolen from the church.

According to Missouri CaseNet, Martin resides in the 400 block of Smith Ave., which is where officers later located and arrested him, after he allegedly attempted to elude them.

During the investigation, a search warrant was issued for the suspect's residence, where investigators recovered several additional chainsaws that were also confirmed to have been stolen from the church.

The investigation is ongoing, as additional chainsaws are still missing.

The church reportedly used the chainsaws to assist with natural disasters, including in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Martin is being held on $5,000 bond.

Those with more information involving this burglary are encouraged to contact the Neosho Police Department at 451-8012.